How to Determine the Percentage of Completion for Purposes of the Provincial Transitional New Housing Rebates and the Transitional Tax Adjustment in Ontario and British Columbia

1. GST/HST Info Sheet
GI-105 July 2010
How to Determine the Percentage of Completion for Purposes of the
Provincial Transitional New Housing Rebates and the Transitional Tax
Adjustment in Ontario and British Columbia
The Government of Ontario and the Government of British Columbia Substantial renovation
have each introduced a harmonized sales tax (HST) that came into
Housing that has been substantially renovated is
effect on July 1, 2010.
generally given the same treatment under the
The HST rate in Ontario is 13% of which 5% is the federal part and GST/HST as newly constructed housing. Extensive
8% the provincial part. modifications must be made to the housing in order
to meet the definition of a “substantial renovation”
The HST rate in British Columbia is 12% of which 5% is the federal for GST/HST purposes. For a full explanation of
part and 7% the provincial part.
the factors to consider in deciding if a substantial
This info sheet reflects tax changes included in the New renovation has taken place, refer to GST/HST
Harmonized Value-added Tax System Regulations No.2. Technical Information Bulletin B-092, Substantial
Renovations and the GST/HST New Housing Rebate.
This info sheet outlines the methods that are
considered to be fair and reasonable by the Canada Provincial transitional new housing rebate
Revenue Agency (CRA) for purposes of determining Generally, a provincial transitional new housing
the percentage of completion of the construction or rebate is available in respect of a newly constructed
substantial renovation of a residential complex or substantially renovated residential complex, or an
situated in Ontario or British Columbia (B.C.) as of addition to a multiple unit residential complex where
July 1, 2010. This percentage of completion must be the construction or substantial renovation of the
determined to calculate the provincial transitional complex, or addition, is at least 10% complete as of
new housing rebate and the transitional tax July 1, 2010, and
adjustment and must be done in a fair and reasonable
the sale of the complex is subject to the HST
manner.
at 13% in Ontario or 12% in B.C.;
Definitions for GST purposes, e.g., builder, the builder of the complex, or addition, is
condominium complex, mobile home, residential considered to have made a self-supply of the
complex, residential unit, residential condominium complex, or addition, on or after July 1, 2010; or
unit, single unit residential complex and substantial the builder is considered to have collected the
renovation, generally apply under the HST, as do the transitional tax adjustment in respect of the
CRA’s current policies on the application of the GST complex.
to housing. Guide RC4052, GST/HST Information for
the Home Construction Industry and GST/HST Info Generally, the intent of the provincial transitional
Sheet GI-005, Sale of a Residence by a Builder Who is an new housing rebate is to ensure that a newly
Individual explore many of these important terms and constructed or substantially renovated residential
concepts. Others are explained in GST/HST complex is not subject to both the HST (or the
Memorandum 19.2, Residential Real Property or related transitional tax adjustment in the case of a residential
policy statements.
La version française du présent document est intitulée Comment déterminer le pourcentage d'achèvement aux fins des remboursements transitoires
provinciaux pour habitations neuves et du redressement fiscal transitoire en Ontario et en Colombie-Britannique.

2. condominium unit or condominium complex) and grandparented housing refer to GST/HST Info
the retail sales tax (RST) in Ontario or the provincial Sheet GI-083, Harmonized Sales Tax: Information for
sales tax (PST) in B.C., by rebating an amount that is Builders of New Housing in Ontario, or GST/HST Info
generally equal to the estimated RST or PST content Sheet GI-084, Harmonized Sales Tax: Information for
of the complex, or addition. The provincial Builders of New Housing in British Columbia.
transitional new housing rebate is not available for
mobile homes, floating homes and owner-built In respect of a single unit residential complex, the
homes. It is also not available in situations where builder must account for the transitional tax
only the building part of a complex is sold to a adjustment where the construction or substantial
person while the land in respect of the complex is renovation of the complex is less than substantially
leased to the person. complete as of July 1, 2010. The amount of the
transitional tax adjustment is based on the percentage
For purposes of the provincial transitional new of completion of the complex as of July 1, 2010.
housing rebate, the percentage of completion of a
residential condominium unit situated in a In respect of a residential complex that is a
condominium complex is the percentage of residential condominium unit or condominium
completion of the condominium complex as of complex, if the sale of the unit or complex is
July 1, 2010, unless the condominium unit is grandparented, the builder must account for the
substantially renovated without substantially transitional tax adjustment regardless of the degree
renovating the condominium complex in which the of completion of the complex as of July 1, 2010.
unit is situated. In this case, the percentage of
completion is based on the substantial renovation of The transitional tax adjustment is intended to
the unit only. approximate the amount of RST or PST that a
builder would otherwise have paid on construction
Refer to GST/HST Info Sheet GI-096, Harmonized materials acquired after June 2010 had the RST/PST
Sales Tax: Provincial Transitional New Housing Rebates for remained in place. Refer to GST/HST Info Sheet
Housing in Ontario and British Columbia, for a detailed GI-095, Harmonized Sales Tax: Information on the
explanation of the provincial transitional new Transitional Tax Adjustment for Builders of Housing in
housing rebate. Ontario and British Columbia, for a detailed explanation
of the transitional tax adjustment.
This info sheet does not explain the consideration method or the
floor space method that is used to determine the amount of a Determining the percentage of completion
provincial transitional new housing rebate. This info sheet only
addresses the determination of the percentage of completion of a The percentage of completion of a newly
newly constructed or substantially renovated residential complex as constructed or substantially renovated complex as of
of July 1, 2010. The determination of the percentage of completion July 1, 2010 can only be determined if the
may be based on floor space methods or other methods that are construction or substantial renovation actually began
explained later in this info sheet. However, once the percentage of before July 1, 2010. It is a question of fact as to
completion is determined, refer to Info Sheet GI-096, Harmonized
Sales Tax: Provincial Transitional New Housing Rebates for
whether the construction or substantial renovation
Housing in Ontario and British Columbia, for information on the began before July 1, 2010. In the case of a newly
methods used to calculate the provincial transitional hew housing constructed residential complex, the construction
rebate. begins when the excavation of the site within the
activity of constructing the complex begins.
Transitional tax adjustment
The transitional tax adjustment is an amount a
builder is considered to have collected in respect of a
newly constructed or substantially renovated
residential complex that is a single unit residential
complex, a residential condominium unit or a
condominium complex where the sale of the
complex is grandparented. For more information on
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3. This info sheet does not apply if the construction or substantial operating costs, as of July 1, 2010, to be incurred to
renovation of the residential complex did not begin before construct or renovate the complex.
July 1, 2010. If the construction or substantial renovation of the
residential complex did not begin before July 1, 2010, a person is
not entitled to claim a provincial transitional new housing rebate in
These costs include all costs necessary to put the
respect of the complex. In the case of the transitional tax complex in a position to fulfil its function as a place
adjustment, the percentage of completion is 0%, regardless of the of residence, except for the cost of acquiring the land
fact that the builder may have incurred some costs that would and certain related costs. The costs would include the
normally factor into the determination of the percentage of costs of material and labour, as well as overhead
completion had the construction or substantial renovation began costs reasonably attributable to the construction or
before July 1, 2010.
renovation of the complex. The Appendix to this
info sheet outlines the costs that should be included
The determination of the percentage of completion and those that should not be included in determining
of the construction or substantial renovation of a the percentage of completion. The determination of
residential complex does not take into consideration these costs should be designed to achieve a
the cost of the land upon which the complex is reasonable and proper matching of costs with the
situated because land is generally not regarded as value added as of July 1, 2010.
being constructed or renovated. Refer to the
Appendix for additional information on property and Costs of materials that have been purchased as of
services that are generally included or excluded from July 1, 2010 but not yet used in the construction
the determination of the percentage of completion. should not be included. Conversely, costs invoiced to
the builder after July 1, 2010, but related to work
For a condominium project where the housing is performed or material delivered and used on or
located in more than one building, the percentage of before July 1, 2010 should be included in
completion should generally be determined on a determining the total capital and operating costs as
building by building basis. of July 1, 2010.
Where a cost method is being used to determine the The total expected capital and operating costs, as of
percentage of completion, common expenses of a July 1, 2010, to construct or substantially renovate
project involving more than one building should be the complex should include any cost savings or cost
apportioned to the various buildings in proportion to overruns that are known or expected as of
each building's cost, as a percentage of the total cost July 1, 2010.
of all buildings in the project, provided that the
common areas to which such common expenses
Method 2 – Interior floor space
relate are in the residential complex part of the
building, i.e., that part reasonably necessary for the Determine the percentage of completion based on
use and enjoyment of the building as a place of the interior floor space of the residential complex for
residence for individuals. which the construction or substantial renovation was
completed as of July 1, 2010, as a proportion of the
This info sheet does not apply to any part of the land or building that total interior floor space as evidenced in the
is not part of a residential complex. plans/designs for the complex as of July 1, 2010.
The following six methods are generally considered The interior floor space consists of all living areas
to be fair and reasonable methods that can be used within the interior of the complex, including
to determine the percentage of completion. common areas such as lobbies, corridors, staircases,
elevator shafts, laundry rooms, recreation rooms,
Method 1 – Capital and operating costs indoor swimming pools and similar spaces. Excluded
from the interior floor space are storage rooms, attics
Determine, as of July 1, 2010, the capital and
and basements, unless they are finished by a builder
operating costs incurred in the construction or
of the complex to a standard comparable to the
substantial renovation of the residential complex as a
living areas of the complex. Commercial areas,
proportion of the total expected capital and
parking garages, rooms or areas that contain heating
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4. or cooling equipment or equipment for the supply of bank inspection reports used to support builder
water, gas or electricity to the complex, and similar mortgage draws.
areas are also excluded from the interior floor space.
Method 4 – Fair market value
The interior floor space is the aggregate of the Determine the percentage of completion based on a
building at grade level, plus the area of all other certified appraised fair market value of the building
floors above or below grade level, designed and (excluding the land), or part of the building, that was
usable as living areas, all measured from the outside constructed or substantially renovated as of
faces of the enclosing walls if the walls are not July 1, 2010, as a proportion of the appraised fair
adjacent to any other residential complex or unit. If market value of the building as if it had been
the enclosing wall is adjacent to another complex or substantially completed as of July 1, 2010.
unit (e.g., a condominium unit situated adjacent to
another unit in the condominium complex), the Method 5 – Progress billings
interior floor space is measured from the middle of
the enclosing wall. Determine the percentage of completion based on
progress billings made in respect of the construction
The supporting documentation related to the interior or substantial renovation of the residential complex,
floor space of the complex completed as of as of July 1, 2010, as a proportion of the expected
July 1, 2010 may include: total consideration payable to construct or renovate
the complex as of July 1, 2010.
the building contract;
the drawings/plans for the construction or Where a contractor requires a person to make
substantial renovation of the complex; payments based on the progress of the work as
engineering and/or architectural reports; and stipulated under the contract for the construction or
substantial renovation of the complex, the
bank inspection reports used to support percentage of completion may be determined based
mortgage draws. on the progress billings made as of July 1, 2010.
However, the progress billings made as of
Method 3 – Total floor space July 1, 2010 should not include any amounts that
Determine the percentage of completion based on relate to work that was not yet performed, or
the floor space of the residential complex for which property that was not delivered, or delivered and not
the construction or substantial renovation was used, as of July 1, 2010.
completed as of July 1, 2010, as a proportion of the
total floor space of the complex as evidenced in the The expected total consideration payable to
plans and designs for the complex as of July 1, 2010. construct or substantially renovate the complex as of
July 1, 2010, should include any adjustments to the
The total floor space consists of the interior floor consideration that are known or expected as of
space and spaces that are excluded from the interior July 1, 2010.
floor space but that form part of the residential
complex. Method 6 – Certified report
Determine the percentage of completion based on a
The supporting documentation related to the floor report prepared by an engineer, architect or other
space of the complex that was completed as of professional who is qualified to certify the value or
July 1, 2010 may include: extent of work completed as of July 1, 2010.
the building contract;
Documentation
the drawings/plans for the construction or
substantial renovation of the complex; Documentation used to determine the percentage of
completion should be maintained for a period of six
engineering and/or architectural reports; and
years and included with a person’s books and records
as this determination is subject to audit.
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5. Example The appraised fair market value of the building (excluding the land)
had it been substantially completed as of July 1, 2010 is $25 million.
A builder constructs a residential complex and the construction The appraised fair market value of the building completed as of
began before July 1, 2010. July 1, 2010 is $7 million.
The following costs (in millions of dollars) are incurred as of
July 1, 2010: The percentage of completion of the residential complex as of
Land $2.0 July 1, 2010, must be determined in a fair and reasonable manner.
Costs associated with the acquisition The following determinations of the percentage of completion
and maintenance of the land illustrate some of the methods generally considered to be fair and
prior to construction 0.4 reasonable:
Construction materials used and
services performed 4.0 Method 1 – Capital and operating costs
Architects' fees, plans and Total expected capital and operating costs excluding
drawings for the complex 1.0 any costs relating to the acquisition of the land and costs
Legal and accounting costs relating to associated with the acquisition and maintenance of the
the construction of the complex 0.2 land prior to construction as of July 1, 2010 $12.6 M
Total costs as of July 1, 2010 $7.6 M Total capital and operating costs excluding any costs
relating to the acquisition of the land and costs associated
The total expected cost (in millions of dollars) to construct the with the acquisition and maintenance of the land prior to
residential complex, including the land, as of July 1, 2010 is construction incurred as of July 1, 2010 $5.2 M
$15 million dollars, which consists of the following costs: Percentage of completion ($5.2 M ÷ $12.6 M × 100) 41.27%
Land $2.0
Costs associated with the acquisition Method 2 – Interior floor space
and maintenance of the land prior to Interior floor space of the complex as indicated in
construction 0.4 plans/designs as of July 1, 2010 1,400m2
Construction materials and services 11.0 Interior floor space completed
Architects' fees and plans and as of July 1, 2010 800m2
drawings for the complex 1.0 Percentage of completion (800 ÷ 1,400 × 100) 57.14%
Landscaping costs, cost of
parking lot, utility connection costs 0.3 Method 3 – Total floor space
Legal and accounting costs relating to Total floor space of the complex 1,900 m2
the construction of the complex 0.3 Total floor space completed
Total costs $15.0 M as of July 1, 2010 1,100 m2
Percentage of completion
The total expected cost includes an additional $0.5 million for (1,100 ÷ 1,900 × 100) 57.89%
construction materials as a result of increased costs incurred as of
July 1, 2010 and expected additional costs, as of July 1, 2010, for
materials required to complete the construction. Method 4 – Fair market value
The appraised fair market value had the building been
As of July 1, 2010, the total floor space of the complex is intended to substantially completed as of July 1, 2010 $25 M
be 1,900 square metres (m2), of which 1,400 square metres is the
interior floor space. The appraised fair market value of the partly completed
building as of July 1, 2010 $13 M
The actual floor space completed as of July 1, 2010 is 1,100 square
metres. The actual interior floor space completed as of July 1, 2010 Percentage of completion ($13 M ÷ $25 M × 100) 52%
is 800 square metres.
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6. This info sheet does not replace the law found in the Excise Tax Act (the Act) and its regulations. It is provided for your reference. As it may not
completely address your particular operation, you may wish to refer to the Act or appropriate regulation, or contact any CRA GST/HST rulings
office for additional information. A ruling should be requested for certainty in respect of any particular GST/HST matter. Pamphlet RC4405,
GST/HST Rulings – Experts in GST/HST Legislation, explains how to obtain a ruling and lists the GST/HST rulings offices. If you wish to make a
technical enquiry on the GST/HST by telephone, please call 1-800-959-8287.
If you are located in Quebec and wish to make a technical enquiry or request a ruling related to the GST/HST, please contact Revenu Québec
by calling 1-800-567-4692. You may also visit their Web site at www.revenu.gouv.qc.ca to obtain general information.
All technical publications related to GST/HST are available on the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/gsthsttech.
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7. Appendix – Costs to include or exclude in determining percentage of completion
This listing is meant to be illustrative and not exhaustive.
The cost of acquiring the land that forms part of a residential complex should not be included in determining the
percentage of completion of the construction or substantial renovation of the residential complex.
The following costs may be included in determining the percentage of completion to the extent that the costs are
necessary to put the residential complex in a position to fulfill its function as a place of residence:
costs of plans and drawings that are integral to the construction process;
costs of builder's permits and development cost charges (i.e., charges that a developer is required to pay for
the infrastructure that the new development requires. Generally, these charges limit the amount that existing
residents have to pay to subsidize the infrastructure required for new residents);
cost of representations made to government authorities for the purpose of obtaining land development
permits, building permits and licences;
site investigation costs (amounts paid for investigating the suitability of a site, such as the costs of soil tests,
zoning investigations, environmental studies, surveying and financial feasibility studies);
costs of clearing and levelling the surface of the land (including the demolition of existing structures) upon
which the complex will be built;
blasting and excavation costs necessary to prepare for the construction or renovation of the complex;
grading, fill, retaining walls, gabion slopes, earth removal, clearing and grubbing;
architect’s and engineering fees related to the construction of the complex;
construction and inspection fees;
builder's all-risk insurance;
legal and accounting fees relating to the construction of the complex;
clean-up costs;
construction materials and construction services;
component parts such as electric wiring, plumbing, sprinkler systems, air conditioning equipment, heating
equipment, lighting fixtures, elevators, storm doors and windows, automatic stokers, sump pumps and fire
alarm systems;
footings, foundations and other base support below ground level;
landscaping costs;
costs of parking lots, garages, sewers, water mains, exterior lighting, sidewalks, utility connection costs,
fences, swimming pools and other recreational facilities on the land to the extent that they form part of the
residential complex;
operating expenses associated with the construction or substantial renovation of a specific residential
complex (or if the expense cannot be identified with a specific complex, then those costs that are allocated to
the complex in a fair and reasonable manner).
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8. As indicated above, the cost of acquiring the land should be excluded in determining the percentage of
completion. Certain costs associated with the land should also be excluded in determining the percentage of
completion. Such costs include the costs associated with the acquisition and maintenance of the land prior to
construction, such as:
legal and accounting expenses associated with the land acquisition and maintenance of the land prior to the
construction of the complex;
operating expenses associated with the land (or a reasonable apportionment of operating costs to the land)
such as directors' fees, head office expenses (including rent, secretarial salaries, maintenance expenses and
business taxes); and
real estate taxes, including land transfer tax payable on the acquisition of the land.
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